Saturday, 12/13/25, Rehvyb’s 2nd Birthday Party, Lots of fun, my first time riding in Jeep since surgery, high winds, slippery roads by Kenzie’s, Jack drove Melissa and Bruce there

 

Rehvyn at his 2nd Birthday party. Eating his cupcake

Papa, Rehvyn and Kenzie

Blowing out his candles

Group picture...Kimmy took it...Vikki, Jared, Roy, Isaac, Jack, Bruce, me, Kenzie, Rehvyn, Bill, Omi, Adam, Peyton, and Travis...Melissa was sitting but.can’t be seen, and neither can Eli be seen.  They are in other pictures though.

You can see the rest of the group other than poppy in this picture

Kenzie, Rehvyn, and Travis

Rehvyn opening his gifts

Reehvyn playing with his gifts

Kenzie and Travis

 

On his John Deere Teactor

Vikki, Melissa, and Rehvyn

Hailey made it to Chicago today! She sent me pictures! Yay

I got ready and did my hair early.  Maddy came over around 8:45 a.m..  It was super cold and windy.  I hurried to the door to let her in quick.  She brought Bill a vanilla shake and me a peppermint mocha shake (one for her too).  She also gave me a yummy cookie from there.  Bill was still sleeping when she got here.  We had a nice visit and it sure was good to see her. Bill came out and he enjoyed the shake she brought him and was so happy to get it and visit too.  She stayed for about 1 1/2 hours.  Loved spending time with her.

We read our Bibles after she left and then packed stuff in the Jeep and headed to Rehvyn’s Birthday Party.  The first time I have been able to get in the Jeep since surgery.  Used a stool to get in with help from Bill.  He sure helps me a lot.  

When we got near Kenzie’s, the wind was really blowing the snow over the roads making it icy.  We got to pull up right by the door in the driveway.  Bill got the stool out and Rody was sweet and came to help me get in the house without my walker.  He’s like a Rock, so I didn’t have to worry about getting in safely.  Thank you so much Rody.  I really appreciate you and how kind you are.  The house was so cozy and decorated so nicely.   They took me and showed me the recliner that was mine to use for the day.  It was nice and comfy.  Travis was just so nice to me and had good Christmas movies I like all set up for me to watch.  He kept checking on me and coming into visit and make sure I had people in the living room with me.  So sweet!  Everyone was so nice and Vikki got my food for me, Kimmy helped hold things for me and reach what I couldn’t and Bill helped with what ever I needed too.  What a great family.  I didn’t take my walker in, so did some walking, but stayed in the chair quite a bit too.  

Everyone came except Jacob, Evan, Hailey, and Max.  Kenzie’s Omi and Poppy were there.  It was nice to see them.  Kenzie had made cabbage buns, pizza buns with turkey, pizza buns with no cheese and regular pizza buns.  She is a good cook.  They were delicous.  She made a great cup with pretzels, crackers, fruit and did too that was delicious.  She also made yummy lemon bars and parfaits.  And she made cupcakes (banana and strawberry cupcakes for Rehvyn’s candles and for all of us to eat.  Everything was so special.  We were stuffed when we finished. 

Rehvyn opened everything so sweetly.  He would open something and go play with it.  Then when told to go open something else he would open something else.  He loved everything and would take time to have Eli open them with his knife, then Rehvyn would play with them.  We got him a bus that plays the wheels on the bus.  He sure loved and was so cute with it.  He opened a riding John Deer tractor last from Omi and Poppi and he sure loved it.  He always went back to play with everything else though.  Such a cute two year old grandson.  

Rody and Bill helped me down Kenzie’s porch steps and back into the Jeep.  We followed Jack driving on the way home.  He did great.  When we got home we walked around, then put stuff away and then relaxed.  I went through my pictures and sent them to Vikki so she could post and just tag me in her post. She is quick to do that and I sure do appreciate her.  

Friday, 12/12/25, Kimmy and Vikki came over, then Melissa and Hailey came over, hung out, I walked a lot without the walker, had chips, queso and a great mixture of rice, Guacamole, mixed peppers, extra pico , and shredded cheese, went to Walmart with , Vikki and Meijer with Kimmy and Vikki, Bill volunteered at Pat’s,

Our fun lunch!!!!  We sure were a happy bunch eating that good food.

I’m glad Vikki could show me how to use and amigo for the stores.  I did pretty good on them.

 I got up early and made brownies.  This is the first time I’ve baked something since my surgery.  Then got ready and then put worship music on until Vikki came.  I greeted her and showed her how I can walk a lot without the walker now (2 weeks and 2 days after my surgery). She was very happy.  Kimmy got here and I greeted her.  I always love our Friday get togethers.  Vikki had me show her how I could walk good without my walker.  She was very happy too.  Last night I got up in the night to go to the bathroom.  When I came back and got by my recliner, I decided I should turn the heat reflector more in my direction.  I parked my walker, walked over to the heat reflector and then walked back to my recliner where my walker was parked.  Things just got better after that.  Such freedom!  I will still use my walker when I go away and if I need it at home.  Melissa and Hailey came and they were really happy to see me walking on my own too.  Bill was so happy to see me walking lots with out the walker too.  Lots of progress coming quickly now.

We all hung out and visited, and had so much fun.  It was extra special having Hailey here again.  She’s going on a trip to Chicago tomorrow with friends.  We all decided we wanted Qdoba chips and queso for lunch.  Vikki and Melissa picked it up for us.  It was so good and we got full fast on what we had.  

After lunch, we visited more, then Melissa and Hailey had to leave to go shopping.  Vikki, Kimmy and I went shopping too.  Vikki drove my car and dropped Kimmy off at Kohl’s, then Vikki and I went to Walmart for some jogging pants and a birthday card for Rehvyn.  I was a little nervous to use the Amigo there, but Vikki gave me a lesson and it was super easy.  There was one parked next to the handicap place we pulled into.  We didn’t take too long, then headed over to pick Kimmy up.  We all pulled in a spot where a lady had just come out with an amigo, so she let us have it and we pulled into the spot next to her.  

That was fun and went quick too. Kimmy just had to return something for Christmas because I ordered hrr a different thing today that is like mine, even though it was a little bit more. I know she will like it better.  That didn’t take long either.  We let Kimmy run into Target to check on something for Rehfyn from Jacob next, but they didn’t have it.  Then we met Melissa and Hailey at Vikki’s because we were all donating our pop cans so Hailey could take more money on her trip.  Vikki couldn’t get my key to work in her door, so we left and Vikki is going to drop it off later.  Kimmy drove my car and we picked Peyton and Isaac up from school.  We came back to my house, Bill was at Pat’s Food Center collecting for Toys for Tots for the Marine Corp League.  The kids had brownies and then Kimmy and Vikki made a coffee.  We sat while they relaxed and enjoyed it and then Kimmy realized she needed to get home because Melissa and family and Peggy were coming to her house to bury Badger.  Jared had already dug the hole.  So wonderful of him.  

I warmed up the spaghetti, dished up some applesauce and made some broccoli in my new Ninja Foods pan. When I said I would dish stuff up, Bill asked me if I was sure I didn’t want him to.  I told him I could.  The new frying pan worked great and even Bill said the broccoli was good after he wasn’t going to try any.  We relaxed for a while after that, then I did my exercises, took my shower and worked on my blog.  Exited to go to Rehvyn’s birthday party at Kenzie’s tomorrow.

Thursday, 12/11/25, Happy 2nd Birthday Rehvyn, Nana and Papa love you so much! Facetimed with Rehvyn, did leg raising exercises, went to Kohls, walked up and down stairs at home,

Happy 2nd Birthday Rehvyn!  We love you so so much!

Rehvyn and his mommy

Happy in the snow

Nana facetiming Rehvyn on his Birthday.  He was just the cutest and love his new Off Road vehicle.  He scared himself when he honked the horn and wouldn’t honk it again.  Then he did it one more time.  

Beautiful Christmas card Sister C gave to us today.  It lights up when you open it.  I loved it and had to call her and tell her so.  She was so happy I loved it as she picked it out special and said it was like sending a hug to me.  It sure was!

Bill and I eating at the table for dinner enjoying his spaghetti.  So yummy!

Peyton relaxing in her rom with all of her Squishmallows and Lauren Daigle Blanket.

Kenzie FaceTimed me.  I was so happy to see Rehvyn and said you’ll be 2 pretty soon. Hold up two fingers.  Then Kenzie said today is his birthday.  I hadn’t looked at the date so didn’t realize it was the 11th.  I had so much fun talking to him and watching him in his 4 wheeler.  He sure loved it and wanted to sit in it all the time.  I can’t wait to celebrate with him on Saturday.  He’s such a loving little boy. 

Bill had to take his sister Carol to her doctor appt.  He left at around 8:30.  I got ready and did my leg lifts.  They are the hardest for me to do, but I’m getting better at it.  I ate breakfast, then got my lists of Christmas presents organized.  I watered my plants, and made my side of the bed.  I have to move the sheets and blankets back when I do exercises.  I could do more little things with just walking a little ways away from my walker.  

I called Bill to see if he would pick me up a shake on his way home.  He got me a yummy peppermint shake from Chic-fil-A.  Yum!  He also brought home donuts from our favorite bakery in Bridgeport.  Double Yum!  He gave me the card from Carol to open.  Such a blessing!  We decided to go to Kohls and walk around and shop and use our Kohl’s Cash.  We covered the whole store.  I did pretty good with my walker until I waited 25 minutes for Bill to check out.  I was getting a little sore and tired by the time he was done.  It felt good to get in the car and sit.  When we got home, I relaxed for a while.  So did he.  We read our Bibles.  He asked me if I wanted him to fix me a plate of spaghetti.  I told him yes, but asked if we could walk up the stairs and down first.   I used the rail and he walked next to me.  Going up was pretty easy.  Coming down was a little harder, but not bad.  I went one step at a time.  I was so happy to be able to do it.  I want to practice everything I can because they called and my therapy doesn’t start until 12/30 because they are booked until then.  

We ate at the table for the second time.  Nice to be able to do that comfortably too.   

I talked to Kimmy and ordered my gift for Jared after she sent me an idea.  I think he will really like it.  I also got Peyton’s list, so ordered her stuff.  I talked to Melissa and she thought I walked all over Kohls without my walker.  We both got a really good laugh out of that.  She thought Bill was just walking next to me to catch me if I fell.  It was hard enough walking through the whole store with a walker.  She also told me she has a surprise for me and decided to tell me.  She has been practicing two Christmas songs on the Piano from the Salty Play that she knew really well when she was taking lessons.  She started off slow, and they came right back to her.  I can’ t wait to hear her play them.  What a great Christmas gift!  I told her she didn’t waste our piano lesson money and she laughed because she had thought the same thing.  

I talked to Vikki today too.  I can’t wait til the girls come over tomorrow.  Always fun Fridays!    I talked to Sue and to Marie today.  Both are doing pretty good now.

Wed., 12/10/25, Finally at 5:45 they closed all the schools around here, warmed up breakfast leftovers, Bill snowblower driveways and sidewalks, went to family doctor post op appt. went to souper cafe for lunch, rested at home, called Dr. Bindon’s office to schedule therapy, Bill picked Jack up and spent time with him

Six more inches of snow last night.  It sure is beautiful outside!

Lots of cardinals coming and going to this tree today

Beautiful drive to my doctor appointment

Our road was really pretty on the way home

Evan and Lydia with the Gingerbread houses they made.  Such a cute picture!

I didn’t sleep good, so kept getting up and checking on the snowfall (it was coming down in big flakes and lots of it) and also kept checking for the schools in our area to close.  Two were closed and delayed before I went to bed, and many in other areas were on the list.  Finally at 5:45 they closed our schools and Kimmy’s.  I went back to sleep, but then got up about 7:30.  I put on worship music and enjoyed it.  I walked around checking the snowfall, checking my Christmas Cactus, and them warmed up my ham and potatoes from Leo’s for breakfast.  It tasted yummy still.  I heard Bill get up and heard him unload the dishwasher, so I got up and loaded my dishes.  Then he got ready and went out to do the snowplowing and I got ready for my doctor appt. even though it isn’t til 1:30.  I rested for a while because I know not to overdo.  Then I went in to my room and was doing my hair and Vikki called.  She was happy to have the day off.  We talked for a while, then she was going to take a nap.  

Bill came in and we got our coats on and I wore a pair of Sketcher’s that covered the back of my foot good.  The roads were snow covered but everything was just beautiful.  We got a parking spot right by the door of my doctor’s office.  We got in right away. I got weighed, then she took my blood pressure, then my PA, Sara was in the doorway greeting me and to us back to the room.  I had Bill come back so he could show her the picture of my incision, since it was bandaged again.  She wanted to check my leg for swelling, so when she went to grab it, it told her I had to take my shoe off.  It’s weird, but after surgery and not wearing any shoes they feel super heavy.  She picked my shoe up and looked at it and said, huh, Sketchers small shoe is heavy and laughed.  There was no swelling still so that was good.  She did say she thinks therapy would be good because sometimes when you do your own exercises you give up if it’s painful, plus they get you doing things the right way much faster.  I told her I had been thinking about that after my surgeon asked about therapy Monday.  Bill agreed so I will call the surgeon’s office and set it up.

We went to Souper Cafe for lunch and had egg salad sandwiches and soup.  I forgot to take a picture of our second outing too.  We came home after that, and I called the surgeons office and talked to the nurse, so she’s setting up the therapy after she talks to the doctor.  

I was tired after all the morning and afternoon activity, so relaxed in my recliner.  Bill was relaxing too.  Melissa called and told me Evan’s friend and her mom picked Evan up to help get Badger off his mind and were making gingerbread houses.  I was thinking of me not being able to, but told Melissa it was too bad Jack didn’t have someone to take him out. Then I looked at Bill and he said he would.  We were happy that we thought of him. and he was happy to.  He left to pick him up and I got a short nap in.  I talked to Melissa later and she said Jack had the best time with Papa going to Culver’s and then going to a big parking lot with the Jeep and spinning.  I’m glad I wasn’t with them.  It’s good guy fun though.

I did some knitting in the evening.  I finished another dish cloth.  Then I did my exercises and worked on my blog.  

Bill and I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, Christmas for a Dollar.  It is so good and is a tear jerker. I love how close the family is in it.  

I enjoyed talking with all three girls today and am so thankful for such loving caring daughters.  Talked with Kenzie too and I am so thankful for her too.  She texted me later and showed me a video of her beta fish that was really cool.